BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA get a new competitor from Sweden

Volvo has been busy revamping its entire lineup. It has recently introduced an all-new XC60, and all-new S90, and an all-new V90. The next model on the list is the XC40 compact SUV that will reside at the bottom of Volvo’s SUV lineup and provide an entry-level and affordable option for those that don’t need the extra space afforded by the larger XC60 and XC90. The XC40 has been on the cards for a while, with spy shots surfacing as early as 2015 and Volvo has finally unveiled its competitor for the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Volvo’s first ever premium compact SUV, the new XC40 is also the company’s first model to be built on the company’s all-new CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform. Inspired by the bigger XC90 inside and out, the mini SUV features much of the advanced connectivity, entertainment, and safety technology Volvo’s latest vehicles. It is also powered by Volvo’s efficient Drive-E engines and is offered with front- or all-wheel drive. All told, it is indeed a more affordable proposition for drivers who need the higher ride of an SUV, but can do without the large exterior dimensions. Let’s see what it brings to the table in the review below

Latest Volvo XC news and reviews:

A Reddit user posted a video of what appears to be a late-2000s Volvo XC70 getting into a head-on collision with a massive truck. Usually, this is the kind of video that makes you cringe, knowing the occupants of the vehicle were severely injured, but they were driving a Volvo. If you ever questioned whether or not Volvo made safe cars, well this is a real-world crash test that answers with a definite YES.

There isn’t a lot of information to go by, but we know this is an older XC70 that didn’t include things like lane-keep assist or the like. Clearly, the Volvo driver was at fault. Prior to the crazy accident, the vehicle slowly drifts out of its lane and right into the path of that big truck. It doesn’t even appear as if the drive in the Volvo hit his brakes, so he was probably distracted with more important things – you know, a text message, browsing facebook, or watching porn.

The car behind him was the lucky one with a dash cam and was actually able to stop before making things worse, but what happens after that is sheer lunacy. For a collision that would likely result in injury for most cars on the road, this driver seems more angry than anything, throwing a big piece of the dash, which was obviously karma’s way of slapping him in the face, out of the car. I’m sure there were a few naughty words said in the process and, according to later posts, the driver walked away uninjured.

Regardless of what caused the accident, it goes to show one thing – Volvos are pretty damn safe. I’m sure the driver was sore the next day, and he probably got whacked in the face by that piece of dash trim pretty good. But, considering what the outcome could have been, I’m pretty sure he should be writing Volvo one hell of a thank you note – their design philosophy probably just save his life, or at the very least, saved him from serious injury.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go trade in my Volkswagen Golf for an older Volvo XC70. Check out the video below, and I’m sure you’ll want to do the same.

Volvo is currently in the process of revamping its lineup, but once it’s done, it may cram a Coupe-SUV into its lineup. The new model would be unlike anything in Volvo’s current lineup and would take on models like the BMW X2 and Mercedes GLC Coupe. The news comes shortly after Volvo filed a trademark for the XC50 name, hinting that it could sit above the XC40 and below the XC60.

Volvo has been busy revamping its entire lineup. It has recently introduced an all-new XC60, and all-new S90, and an all-new V90. The next model on the list is the XC40 compact SUV that will reside at the bottom of Volvo’s SUV lineup and provide an entry-level and affordable option for those that don’t need the extra space afforded by the larger XC60 and XC90. The XC40 has been on the cards for a while, with spy shots surfacing as early as 2015 and Volvo has finally unveiled its competitor for the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Volvo’s first ever premium compact SUV, the new XC40 is also the company’s first model to be built on the company’s all-new CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform. Inspired by the bigger XC90 inside and out, the mini SUV features much of the advanced connectivity, entertainment, and safety technology Volvo’s latest vehicles. It is also powered by Volvo’s efficient Drive-E engines and is offered with front- or all-wheel drive. All told, it is indeed a more affordable proposition for drivers who need the higher ride of an SUV, but can do without the large exterior dimensions. Let’s see what it brings to the table in the review below

Has Volvo turned into one of the more progressive-thinking automakers in the world? While it may be a little premature for that, the Swedish automaker continues to make a strong case that it has left behind its old dormant ways in favor of a more aggressive approach towards future sustainability. Proof of that lies with the company’s new three-cylinder “T5” plug-in hybrid engine, which is one of the first of a new generation of high-efficiency gas hybrids that will hit the market when the new Volvo XC40 arrives. Volvo’s plan is to eventually use this engine on lower and middle tier models, and according to CEO Hakan Samuelsson, this new engine type could become popular enough in various formats to effectively replace diesel engines.

It’s a bold statement that fits into Volvo’s new-found bravado in the automotive industry. It also could turn into an accurate statement if emissions standards throughout the world become tougher, it would become more difficult for a lot of automakers to justify the use of diesel engines when a better alternative is already available. Samuelsson added that the T5 gas-hybrid engine “offers much lower CO2 levels but more or less the same performance in both horsepower and torque.” If the engine lives up to Volvo’s expectations, it could pave the way for the company to phase out diesel engines all together.

A big part of that will depend on the T5 engine’s emissions and economy data, and while the company has yet to release the details of those figures, it did say it expects the engine to emit less than 95g/km in European testing. That number would not only bring tax benefits in a lot of countries, but it could also be used as the official Euro target for fleet-average emissions.

That said, Samuelsson resisted on making any bold proclamations since that scenario isn’t a certainty yet. But it could happen, and as a company, Volvo is preparing for all the possibilities.

When the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 debuted in 2014, most of the world was in shock just from how awesome it looked. Volvo has always been about class, but it’s also prided itself in being more reserved than other automakers. And the new XC90, while reserved to some, is a pretty dramatic shift for Volvo. Its Thor’s hammer headlights and swoopy lines are new for the Swedish SUV, as is its insane, twin-engine, plug-in hybrid version. Despite its awesomeness, the XC90 was still lacking something: some love from Polestar.

Well, you may not have to wait much longer, as a report from Auto Express claims that Volvo has handed the D5 and T6 versions of the XC90 to its tuning and motorsports arm. Though there are no confirmed details to pass on yet, Volvo did tell Auto Express to look for a Polestar XC90 around 2016.

With the performance-oriented SUV reportedly only less than a year away, we went ahead and created a rendering of the XC90 Polestar, Volvo’s quickest and most powerful people hauler yet.

Updated 02/22/2016: Based on the recent spy shots and rumors, we created a rendering for the upcoming XC90 Polestar. Let us know in the comments section below what do you think about it.

Earlier this year, Volvo unveiled the Concept Coupe — the first of three concepts — based on the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture. The coupe was a design study commissioned to give us a glimpse of the future Volvo design direction.

Now under the watchful eye of Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President of Design, the Swedish car maker has unveiled the second concept dubbed the Concept XC Coupe.

Per Volvo’s naming convention, ’XC’ is the prefix used for all things SUV. So, the Concept XC is nothing but a showcase future Volvo SUV designs, and it will show its face at the upcoming 2014 Detroit Motor show. This being a concept, Volvo has not revealed any technical details as of yet.

Like all manufacturers, Volvo too is switching to modular construction in order to keep a tab on development costs. The company’s Scalable Product Architecture will underpin all future Volvo cars, including crossovers, full-size SUVs and sedans.

Update 1/8/2014: With only a few days before it does its full undressing in Detroit, the Volvo Concept XC Coupe has dropped cover and revealed a few details about itself. You can see more after the jump.

Volvo is expanding its lineup this year with the addition of the new XC40, a new compact crossover built on the V40 architecture.
This higher-riding V40 will be making its debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show in September, but a couple of months is still too long for us to wait, so we decided that a clear look at the upcoming Volvo XC40 was in order.
Enter our rendering specialists.

We’ve already mentioned the fact that the "new" XC40 will be built on the V40 platform, but it seems as though everything will be borrowed from the V40, minus the higher ride and the features needed to prepare the XC40 for off-road use.
Under the hood, the XC40 will continue borrowing from the V40.
There will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine and a 2.0 liter engine with power ranging from 150 to 240 HP. Diesel fans will get a 155 HP engine. The top versions will be offered with an all-wheel-drive system.

The "brand new" XC40 is being built as a competitor to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.
Of course, we’ll have to wait until the Paris Auto Show to determine whether it can actually be considered competition.

There have been spy shots galore of the upcoming Volvo XC40, but now the first undisguised images of the new crossover have surfaced online. The new XC40 is scheduled to make its world debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, but it looks like Volvo couldn’t keep it a secret until then and will more than likely have to debut it earlier than anticipated.

The new XC40 is, in fact, a V40 with an increased ride height and new technology that make it ready foroff-roading. As you can see, the XC40 is almost identical to the V40, except for its redesigned front bumper and the new headlamps.

Under the hood, things will stay the same: power will come from a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine and a 2.0 liter engine with power ranging from 150 to 240 HP. Diesel fans will get a 155 HP engine.
Sicne it is an off-road vehicle, Volvo will be offering it with an all-wheel-drive system for the top versions.

In October 2011, four race competing teams under the Volvo flag will embark on an eight-month-long adventure traveling around the world in some of the world’s most treacherous seas. With such a dramatic event about to take place, it’s no wonder Volvo is seizing the opportunity to offer a special edition Ocean Race Edition for four of its models: V60, V70, XC60, and XC70.

According to Lennart Stegland, President of the Special Vehicles division at Volvo Cars: "The cars in the Volvo Ocean Race Edition reflect all the values that our customers look for when they choose a car: an active lifestyle, adventure and passion, without compromising safety and environmental care."

"There are many features that in a very subtle way make you think about boats and sailing. The aluminum decor is designed in such a way that the pattern looks like a yacht harbour full of sailing boat masts. The stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail-making. The aluminum detailing on the mats resembles clews. And the design of the unique wheels has been inspired by the movement of the ocean’s wave."

XC90 is Volvo’s best selling SUV. But even best things sometimes got into trouble. Volvo is recalling 42,211 XC90 SUVs manufactured from June 7, 2004, to May 13, 2005 to inspect the battery to ensure it doesn’t short circuit and cause a fire.

Volvo XC90 is the first SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) coming from Volvo and was launched for the first time in 2002. The Volvo XC90 has electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive. It has the capacity to forge ahead on very poor roads, but is primarily intended as a spacious passenger car with excellent driving manners, immense safety and intelligent versatility.

Volvo has announced that the company’s next model will be a production versio of the
XC60 concept unveiled last January at theDetroit auto show. The production model will be presented in 2008 at DEtroit Motor Show.
Development of the XC60 has taken precedence over the companion S60 sedan, a spokesman says, so that Volvo can field a competitor to the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, and the Acura RDX in the important U.S. market. A new S60 will not go on sale until late 2008 at the (...)

Volvo has announced today pricing for its 2008 model year lineup. The 2008 Volvo vehicle line has undergone enhancements to its model mix along with the introduction of the exciting C30. Other highlights include the addition of the new T6 turbocharged engine in the S80 luxury sedan, while the S40 sport sedan and V50 sportwagon receive major appearance updates and a bump in horsepower from 218 to 227.
Later in 2007 Volvo will announce pricing for the all-new V70 and XC70 wagons. (...)

The all-new Volvo XC70 - ongoing capable success in a refined package
Ongoing "crossover" success
More luxury and added capability
Target 40,000 cars per year
U.S. the largest market
Sales start in August 2007
When the first XC model from Volvo Cars took to the roads in 1996, it was not only an immediate sales success; it also carved out an entirely new Cross Country segment.
Now the third generation of the Volvo XC70 steps into the (...)

HEICO SPORTIV, the internationally recognized Volvo tuner, presents its Volvo creations prior to the official market introduction. German premier at the Essen Motorshow. The Essen Motorshow (30th November - 10th December 2006) is the highlight of the European tuning industry and the most important exhibition event for HEICO SPORTIV. This is a good reason to come with 5 cars and to have a solid impact.
0First at HEICO SPORTIV. The new C300
The top attraction is the HEICO HS3 D5, based on (...)

Volvo Car Corporation was successful among the 2006 Auto Trophy winners. The Volvo XC90 captured its fifth trophy in the import ranking for SUV’s and off-road vehicles and the Volvo C30, participating in the competition for the first time, won the import ranking for compact cars this year. Over 350 vehicles in 27 categories vied for the votes of Auto Zeitung readers in the magazine’s 19th annual Auto Trophy competition. Steven Armstrong, Chief Operating Officer of Volvo Car Corporation, (...)

The Volvo SUV was among 13 vehicles earning TOP SAFETY PICK awards for 2007 announced by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests. "Our crash tests cover the most common kinds of real-world collisions," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Designating TOP SAFETY PICK winners based on the tests makes it easier for consumers to (...)

Volvo is creating a new model as a competitor for the BMW X3. The new Volvo XC50 will go on sale on the same time with the new Audi Q5.
The XC50 is a smaller version of the XC90, but with its own personality. The design
is sporty and dynamic, with classic Volvo radiator grill in foreground forming a V-shape with front lights.
The side is a good compromise between dynamism and off road requirements. The back of XC50 reminds directly its bigger brother: vertical displacement of lights is (...)

In response to customer demand, Volvo Cars is expanding its popular XC90 range with a new variant — the Volvo XC90 V8 Sport. With a dynamic chassis setting, unique appearance, interior specification upgrades, and sport-tuned suspension, the Volvo XC90 V8 Sport offers the driver more enjoyable handling and dynamic desirability.

Inside information from Volvo points that the Swedish manufacturer is preparing a baby XC90 to compete against the BMW X3. The compact SUV is expected to be introduced as a concept car in next January at the Detroit North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The production version called XC60, will arrive several month later either as a 2008 or 2009 year model.

The Volvo Car Corporation has built a mini-Volvo that takes care of very special transport requirements during the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg. The car, which is a 1:5 scale model of a Volvo XC90, was developed to be able to, quickly and smoothly, transport javelins, hammers or discuses from the place where they land, back to the thrower again.
Volvo Cars has hand-built four unique small bodies, mounted on electrically driven chassis developed by the Nordic Sport (...)

In response to customer demand, Volvo Car Corporation is expanding the XC90 range with a new variant - the Volvo XC90 Sport. With a dynamic chassis setting and a unique appearance and specifications, the Volvo XC90 Sport will offer drivers more enjoyable handling and desirability.

Volvo Cars presented His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, with one of its Sport Utility Vehicles. The keys of the car have been delivered to the Pope in the Vatican, on Wednesday June 28th, with a short ceremony after the Papal Audience.
On Wednesday June 28, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has received the keys of the Volvo XC90 that Volvo Car Corporation has presented him with. The delivery of the keys to the Pope has taken place in the Vatican, during a short ceremony after the Papal (...)

With an unprecedented number of new models launched by Volvo this year, there will be no less than two all-new cars, two models that have just been refreshed and the exciting C30 Design Concept among the Volvo highlights at the British International Motor Show (BIMS) at London’s Excel from the 20 to the 30 July.
In addition, Volvo is also taking part in the motor show cavalcade through London on Sunday 16 July with a classic Volvo P1800, an all-new Volvo C70 coupe/convertible and an XC90 on (...)

In its largest-ever tie-in with a major motion picture, Volvo Car Corporation will support its official promotion of Disney’s upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest with a global, multi-media treasure hunt for a Volvo XC90 V8 that has been buried somewhere in the world.
Beginning June 12 through July 11, individuals nationwide can visit their local Volvo retailer to pick up a free treasure map. Once online, they are asked to go to www.volvocars.us/thehunt to register for the (...)

The Volvo XC90, the SUV from Volvo Cars that has won numerous awards, has been on the market since 2002 and has become very popular, not least among large families. The reasons for this are not only the roomy cabin and comfortable seating for seven people. One of the most compelling arguments is the high level of safety, which is based on a number of solutions and systems that were unique for an SUV at the time the car was launched.
Volvo Cars has the world’s most advanced testing facility (...)

The world launch of the new Volvo XC90 will take place at New York International
Auto Show 2006.
The all-new Volvo S80 will be presented for the first time
on the US market. On the new Volvo XC90 will be showen the new Park Assist
Camera.
You will find Volvo Cars’ stand in Jacob Javits Convention, New
York, New York. Stand no. 208.
Read here the complet review on Volvo (...)

The Volvo XC90 rolled onto the SUV scene with a range of innovations that elevated the segment into an entirely new dimension.
Now, just over three years later, Volvo Cars is introducing an enhanced XC90 - with its sights firmly set on maintaining its lead.

The XC70 masterfully blends the best attributes of a Volvo premium wagon with the all-road, all-weather capabilities of a four-season adventure vehicle. Building on Volvo’s philosophy of continuous refinement, the XC70 receives an enhanced standard all-wheel drive system for 2006. Other changes include an expanded list of equipment for the Convenience Package as well as two new exterior colors.

Making its debut in mid-2005, the XC90 V8 became the most powerful model in Volvo’s history. The transversely mounted, compact V8 was tailor-made for the XC90 using a 60-degree “V” configuration. It displaces 4.4-liters and features state-of-the-art technology with 32-valves and continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (CVVT). The naturally aspirated V8 develops 311 horsepower at 5,850 rpm and 325 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm. In addition to providing premium SUV buyers with the power of a V8, the engine is also the first V8 to meet the stringent ULEV II emissions standards.